WATKINS JOHNSON CO
DEF 14A, 1997-02-25
SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC
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                           WATKINS-JOHNSON COMPANY
                             3333 HILLVIEW AVENUE
                            STANFORD RESEARCH PARK
                         PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304

DEAN A. WATKINS                                           W. KEITH KENNEDY, JR.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD                                            PRESIDENT AND
                                                       CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
H. RICHARD JOHNSON
VICE CHAIRMAN


                              FEBRUARY 24, 1997
Dear Shareowner:

   We, as well as all of the other  officers and  directors  of  Watkins-Johnson
Company,  cordially  invite  you to  attend  the  Company's  Annual  Meeting  of
Shareowners,  to be held at 10:00  o'clock in the morning on Saturday,  April 5,
1997, at the main office of the Company, 3333 Hillview Avenue, Stanford Research
Park, Palo Alto, California 94304.

   In addition to conducting the business of the meeting,  we will report to you
on the progress of the Company and attempt to answer any questions you may have.

   Please  plan to come,  but  whether you can or cannot,  please  complete  and
return the enclosed proxy card--your participation is important.


                                        Sincerely yours,

                                        /s/ DEAN A. WATKINS
                                        --------------------------
                                            Dean A. Watkins

                                        /s/ H. RICHARD JOHNSON
                                        --------------------------
                                            H. Richard Johnson

                                        /s/ W. KEITH KENNEDY, JR.
                                        --------------------------
                                            W. Keith Kennedy, Jr.




<PAGE>
                             WATKINS-JOHNSON COMPANY
                     NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREOWNERS
                       SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 1997 10:00 A.M.

TO THE SHAREOWNERS:

   The Annual Meeting of Shareowners of Watkins-Johnson  Company will be held at
the Company's main office,  3333 Hillview Avenue,  Stanford  Research Park, Palo
Alto, California 94304 on Saturday,  April 5, 1997, at 10:00 a.m. to take action
upon the following matters: 

   1. The election of directors for the ensuing year.

   2. The approval of the  appointment of  independent  public  accountants  for
1997.

   3. The  transaction  of such other  business as may properly  come before the
meeting.

   Only  shareowners of record at the close of business on February 6, 1997, are
entitled  to  notice  of and to vote  at this  meeting  and any  adjournment  or
postponement thereof.

                                   By Order of the Board of Directors


                                   Claudia D. Kelly, Secretary

Palo Alto, California
February 24, 1997

   WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MEETING,  PLEASE MARK,  SIGN, DATE AND
RETURN THE ENCLOSED  PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED  POSTAGE-PAID
ENVELOPE.





<PAGE>
                           WATKINS-JOHNSON COMPANY

                               PROXY STATEMENT

   The  accompanying  proxy is  solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Watkins-Johnson  Company, a California  corporation (the "Company"),  for use at
the Annual  Meeting of  Shareowners  of the  Company to be held at 10:00 a.m. on
Saturday,  April 5, 1997, and, at any adjournment of the annual meeting,  to act
upon the matters set forth in the accompanying  notice. This Proxy Statement and
the form of proxy,  together with the Company's 1996 Annual  Report,  were first
mailed to shareowners on or about February 25, 1997.

                              VOTING SECURITIES

   Only  shareowners of record at the close of business on February 6, 1997, are
entitled  to notice of and to vote at the  annual  meeting.  On that  date,  the
Company had outstanding 8,329,248 shares of common stock. Owners of common stock
are entitled to one vote for each share held. In the election of directors, each
shareowner  has  cumulative  voting  rights and is  entitled to as many votes as
equal the number of shares held by such  shareowner  multiplied by the number of
directors  to be  elected,  which  votes may be cast for a single  candidate  or
distributed  among  any or all of the  candidates.  However,  no  shareowner  is
entitled to cumulate votes unless the shareowner,  or any other shareowner,  has
given  notice at the  meeting  before the voting of such  intention  to cumulate
votes.

                   SOLICITATION AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES

   If the  enclosed  proxy  card is  properly  signed and  returned,  the shares
represented  thereby will be voted at the annual meeting in accordance  with the
instructions  specified  thereon.  If the proxy does not  specify how the shares
represented  thereby are to be voted,  the proxy will be voted as recommended by
the Board of  Directors.  If the  shares are held in trust  under the  Company's
employee stock  ownership  plans,  the shares  represented  will be voted by the
Trustee,  as directed by the participant,  pursuant to the plans. Any shareowner
signing a proxy in the form  accompanying  this proxy statement has the power to
revoke it prior to or at the annual meeting. A proxy may be revoked by a written
notice  delivered  to the  Secretary  of the Company  stating  that the proxy is
revoked,  by a  subsequent  proxy  signed by the person  who signed the  earlier
proxy, or by attendance at the annual meeting and voting in person.

   The expense of soliciting proxies will be paid by the Company.  Following the
original  mailing of the  proxies and  soliciting  materials,  employees  of the
Company  may  solicit  proxies  by  mail,  telephone,   telegraph  and  personal
interviews.  The Company will request  brokers,  custodians,  nominees and other
record  holders to forward  copies of the proxies and  soliciting  materials  to
persons for whom they hold shares of the  Company's  common stock and to request
authority for the exercise of proxies; in such cases, the Company will reimburse
such holders for their  reasonable  expenses.  Proxies will also be solicited on
behalf of management by the firm of D. F. King & Co.,  Inc.,  whose fee ($8,500)
and out-of-pocket expenses will be paid by the Company.

                      VOTING RESULTS AT LAST ANNUAL MEETING

   There were 6,483,007  shares  present and voting or withholding  authority to
vote at the Company's  Annual Meeting of Shareowners held on April 13, 1996, for
the  purpose  of  electing  directors,   for  approval  of  the  appointment  of
independent  public   accountants,   and  for  approval  of  the  amendment  and
restatement of the 1989 stock option plan for nonemployee  directors. A majority
vote was required for each of these  proposals.  All nominees for director  were
elected by 95% or more of the votes cast,  the  appointment of Deloitte & Touche
as the Company's  independent  public  accountants  was approved by 98.5% of the
votes cast, and the amendment and  restatement of the 1989 stock option plan for
nonemployee directors was approved by 68.8% of the votes cast.

                                        1



<PAGE>
         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS & MANAGEMENT

   The  following  table sets forth  information  as of December 31, 1996,  with
respect to the  ownership  of the  Company's  common  stock by any person who is
known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's
common stock, by all directors,  by the chief  executive  officer and four other
highly compensated officers, and by all directors and officers of the Company as
a group.

                                                           AMOUNT AND
                                                           NATURE OF
                                                          BENEFICIAL
BENEFICIAL OWNER                                           OWNERSHIP    PERCENT
- ----------------                                           ---------    -------
Smith Barney Holdings, Inc. .......................        504,451(1)    6.1
 Travelers Group Inc. .............................
 388 Greenwich Street
 New York, NY 10013
Mellon Bank Corporation ...........................        463,000(2)    5.6
 One Mellon Bank Center
 Pittsburgh, PA 15258

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Dean A. Watkins ...................................        257,940       3.1
H. Richard Johnson ................................         33,259       *
W. Keith Kennedy, Jr ..............................        263,025       3.2
John J. Hartmann ..................................          9,646       *
Raymond F. O'Brien ................................          7,946       *
William R. Graham .................................         16,476       *
Gary M. Cusumano ..................................          3,500       *
Robert L. Prestel .................................          3,300       *
Scott G. Buchanan .................................         51,768       *
Marc C. Elgaway ...................................            929       *
Keith D. Gilbert ..................................         58,084       *
All directors and officers as a group .............        851,450        10
 (17 persons)

- -----------
* less than 1% of shares outstanding

(1)  According  to the  Schedule  13 G filed by such  shareowner,  Smith  Barney
     Holdings  Inc. may be deemed to be the  beneficial  owner of the  aggregate
     number of shares shown of the  Company's  common stock with shared power to
     vote, or direct the vote, over 504,451 shares and shared  dispositive power
     over 504,451 shares.

(2)  According  to the  Schedule  13G  filed  by such  shareowner,  Mellon  Bank
     Corporation  may be  deemed  to be the  beneficial  owner of the  aggregate
     number of shares shown of the Company's  common  stock,  with sole power to
     vote, or direct the vote,  over 438,000 shares and sole  dispositive  power
     over 148,000 shares and shared  dispositive power over 316,000 shares.

     The amounts shown include shares covered by options  exercisable  within 60
     days of December 31, 1996, as follows:  Dean A. Watkins,  3,000 shares;  H.
     Richard Johnson,  3,000 shares; W. Keith Kennedy,  202,566 shares;  John J.
     Hartmann,  9,046  shares;  Raymond F.  O'Brien,  5,946  shares;  William R.
     Graham,  16,176 shares; Gary M. Cusumano,  3,000 shares; Robert L. Prestel,
     3,000 shares; Scott G. Buchanan,  42,782 shares; Marc C. Elgaway, 0 shares;
     Keith D. Gilbert, 48,333 shares; and all directors and officers as a group,
     457,793  shares.  Also included are 4,015,  4,686,  929, and 751 shares for
     Messrs.  Kennedy,  Buchanan,  Elgaway, and Gilbert respectively,  which are
     allocated to their accounts, and 22,314 shares allocated to the accounts of
     all officers  under the  Company's  employee  stock  ownership  plans as of
     December 31, 1996, according to the plans' administrator.

                                        2


<PAGE>
                            ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
                            (ITEM 1 ON PROXY CARD)


   At the  annual  meeting  in 1997,  there  are  eight  nominees  standing  for
election,  each to hold office until his or her  successor is elected,  or until
death,  resignation or removal.  All of the nominees are presently directors who
were elected by the shareholders.  Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws,  the number
of  directors  may not be less  than  seven  nor more than  eleven.  The  number
currently fixed by resolution is eight.  Shares  represented by the accompanying
proxy will be voted for the election of the nominees recommended by the Board of
Directors,  who are named in the following table,  unless the proxy is marked in
such a manner as to withhold  authority to so vote.  The  affirmative  vote of a
majority of the common stock  voting at the annual  meeting is required to elect
any director. The Company has no reason to believe that the nominees will not be
available for election to serve their prescribed terms.  However, if any nominee
for any reason is unable to serve or for good  cause  will not serve,  the proxy
may be voted for such substitute  nominee as the persons  appointed in the proxy
may in their discretion determine. 

   The following  sets forth certain  information  concerning the nominees as of
December 31, 1996, which is based on data furnished by them.

                      NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS


          DEAN A. WATKINS

          Chairman of the Board, Watkins-Johnson Company.

          Director since 1957.

          Dr.  Watkins,  74, has been  Chairman of the Board since 1967. He is a
          member  of  the  Board  of  Overseers,   Hoover  Institution  on  War,
          Revolution and Peace (Chairman,  1971-73 and 1985-86).  He is a Fellow
          of the Institute of Electrical  and  Electronics  Engineers and of the
          American  Association for the Advancement of Science,  and a member of
          the  National  Academy of  Engineering.  He is a former  member of the
          Board of Directors,  California Chamber of Commerce (President, 1981);
          a former  member of the Board of  Regents,  University  of  California
          (Chairman,  1972-74); a former Trustee of Stanford  University,  and a
          former member of the White House Science Council.



          H. RICHARD JOHNSON

          Vice Chairman of the Board, Watkins-Johnson Company.

          Director since 1957.

          Dr.  Johnson,  70, was  President and Chief  Executive  Officer of the
          Company from 1973 through  1987,  and became Vice Chairman on December
          31, 1987. He is a member of the National  Academy of Engineering and a
          Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He is
          past  President of the Stanford Area  Council,  Boy Scouts of America;
          and  has  served  as  a  Director  of  the  National   Association  of
          Manufacturers, the Santa Clara County Manufacturing Group and the Tech
          Museum of Innovation.

                                        3


<PAGE>


          W. KEITH KENNEDY, JR.

          President and Chief Executive Officer, Watkins-Johnson Company.

          Director since 1987.

          Dr. Kennedy, 53, has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the
          Company since  December 31, 1987.  Dr.  Kennedy  joined the Company in
          1968,  and was a  Division  Manager,  Group  Vice  President  and Vice
          President of Planning  Coordination and Shareowner  Relations prior to
          becoming  President.  He a Director of CNF  Transportation  Inc.,  the
          Joint  Venture   Silicon  Valley   Network,   and  the  Defense  Space
          Consortium;  a member of the Executive Board of The Center for Quality
          Management--West,  and the Santa Clara Valley Manufacturing Group; and
          is a senior  member of the  Institute of  Electrical  and  Electronics
          Engineers.


          JOHN J. HARTMANN

          Financial Consultant.

          Director since 1966. Mr.  Hartmann,  78, is Chairman of both the Audit
          and Nominating Committees of the Board of Directors of the Company. He
          was a member of the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  from 1958 to
          1961  and  rejoined  the  Board in  1966.  From  1967 to 1970 he was a
          general partner of J. Barth & Company,  investment bankers,  and prior
          to that was Chief  Financial and Planning  Officer of Kern County Land
          Company.  Since 1970, Mr.  Hartmann has had extensive  experience as a
          director  of  and   consultant  to  developing   companies   involving
          widely-diverse  fields of activity. He has also been active as a board
          member and executive in civic organizations, primarily in the areas of
          youth activities and minority affairs.


          RAYMOND F. O'BRIEN

          Business Consultant

          Director since 1986.

          Mr.  O'Brien,  74, is Chairman of the  Compensation  Committee  of the
          Board of Directors of the Company. He retired as Chairman of the Board
          of CNF  Transportation  Co. in 1995 and was elected Chairman Emeritus.
          He is a  Director  of  Champion  Road  Machinery,  Ltd.,  Director  of
          Consolidated  Freightways Corp., and a former Director of Transamerica
          Corporation, Union Bank, and the Mont La Salle Vineyards. He is also a
          former  member of the  Executive  Committee of the  American  Trucking
          Association,  a  former  Trustee  of the  ATA  Foundation  and  former
          Chairman of the Western Highway Institute.

                                        4




<PAGE>

          WILLIAM R. GRAHAM

          Senior  Vice  President,   The  Defense  Group,  Inc.,  Falls  Church,
          Virginia.

          Director since 1989.


          Dr. Graham,  59, is a member of the Audit and Compensation  Committees
          of  the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company.  He is a  Director  of
          ElectroSource,  Inc.,  was formerly a Director and  President of C-COR
          Electronics, Inc. He left government service in 1989 after having been
          Science Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Science
          and Technology Policy; Chairman of the Federal Coordinating Council on
          Science,  Engineering  and  Technology;  and  Chairman  of  the  Joint
          Telecommunications  Resources  Board  from 1986 to 1989.  He is former
          Deputy   Administrator   of  the   National   Aeronautics   and  Space
          Administration,   and  former  Chairman  of  the  President's  General
          Advisory  Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament.  In 1971 he was a
          founder of R&D  Associates,  a defense  technology  company,  where he
          served until 1985.


          GARY M. CUSUMANO

          President, The Newhall Land and Farming Company, Valencia, California.

          Director since 1994.

          Mr.  Cusumano,  53, is a member  of the  Compensation  and  Nominating
          Committees of the Board of Directors of the Company.  He is a Director
          of the Newhall Land and Farming Company and the Zero  Corporation.  He
          is Second Vice Chairman of the California Chamber of Commerce Board of
          Directors  and Chairman of the Santa Clarita  Health Care  Association
          Board of Directors; and a member of the Stanford Sloan Alumni Advisory
          Board.  He  is  a  former  Regent  of  the  University  of  California
          (1984-1986),  a former Chairman of the University of California  Davis
          Foundation, and former President of the University of California Davis
          Alumni   Association.   


          ROBERT L. PRESTEL

          Business and Management Consultant.

          Director  since 1994.  

          Mr. Prestel, 60, is a member of the Audit and Nominating Committees of
          the Board of Directors of the Company.  He retired as Deputy  Director
          of the National  Security  Agency in February  1994 after  serving the
          Agency since 1962.  During his career he was Director of Education and
          Training  from 1981 to 1983,  and Deputy  Director  for  Research  and
          Engineering  from 1985 to 1990. He is the recipient of the President's
          Distinguished  Executive  Award in 1988;  the  Department of Defense's
          highest  civilian award, the  Distinguished  Civilian Service Medal in
          1988;  and the National  Intelligence  Distinguished  Service Medal in
          1991.  In 1994 he was  named  as a  "Reinvention  Hero"  by  President
          Clinton for instilling  quality  management into the National Security
          Agency and for being a quality mentor throughout  government  service.
          He is a consultant to INTEC Inc. and a member of the Board of Trustees
          for the Institute of Defense  Analysis;  and formerly was a consultant
          for the Joint  Advisory  Committee of the  Massachusetts  Institute of
          Technology Lincoln  Laboratories.  He taught mathematics  part-time at
          the University of Maryland.

                                        5




<PAGE>
            FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   The Board of Directors  met eight times during 1996.  Standing  committees of
the  Board  include  an Audit  Committee,  which met two times  during  1996,  a
Compensation  Committee,  which met three times  during  1996,  and a Nominating
Committee, which did not meet during 1996.

   During the past year, the Audit  Committee  consisted of Directors  Hartmann,
Prestel and Graham. Among the Committee's  functions are making  recommendations
to the Board of Directors  regarding  the continued  engagement  of  independent
auditors,   reviewing  with  the  independent  auditors  and  Company  financial
management  the plans for and  results of the audit  engagement,  reviewing  the
adequacy of the Company's system of internal accounting controls,  and reviewing
and approving audit and nonaudit fees.

   The  Compensation  Committee  consisted  of  Directors  O'Brien,  Graham  and
Cusumano.  The Committee's primary functions are to establish and administer the
policies  that  govern the  Company's  executive  compensation  programs  and to
regularly  evaluate  these programs for their  effectiveness  in relation to the
Company's financial performance.

   The  Nominating  Committee  consisted  of  Directors  Hartmann,  Cusumano and
Prestel.  The Committee's primary function is to direct the search for qualified
candidates to fill Board  vacancies  that may occur and to recommend them to the
full Board.

   No incumbent  director  attended  fewer than 75% of the  aggregate of (1) the
total number of meetings of the Board of  Directors  and (2) the total number of
meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served during 1996.

                            DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

   Directors  who are not employees of the Company each receive an annual fee of
$21,600 and a fee of $300 for each Board or Committee meeting attended. In April
1994, Drs. Watkins and Johnson retired as employees of the Company and the Board
approved execution of certain consulting agreements with them, as founders;  the
agreements  specify  an annual  fee  payable  to Dr.  Watkins  in the  amount of
$265,000,  and an annual fee of $125,000 payable to Dr. Johnson,  in addition to
the regular directors' fees.

   Directors who are not  employees  also  participate  in the 1989 Stock Option
Plan for Nonemployee Directors (the "1989 Director Plan"),  amended and restated
effective  as of January 29,  1996,  which was  approved at the  Company's  1996
Annual  Shareowners'  Meeting.  It provides  for each  non-employee  director to
receive a stock  option grant of 3,000 shares  annually.  In addition,  the plan
provides that new directors shall, upon election by the shareowners,  receive an
automatic,  one-time  grant of options to purchase 3,000 shares of the Company's
stock.  These  options  provide for the  purchase of shares at not less than the
fair market  value of the stock on the grant date,  fully vest six months  after
grant, and remain  exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant.
Vested options  expire one year after the  optionee's  date of service ends. The
amendment also added 150,000 shares to the previous  200,000 which were reserved
for issuance by this plan.  Options granted to Directors before April 1996 begin
to vest and become  exercisable after two years from grant at a rate of 33 1/3 %
per year. The expiration schedule for all grants is the same.

   The aggregate  number of shares which may be issued under the Plan is 350,000
shares of common  stock;  and as of December 31, 1996,  there were 69,590 shares
subject to  outstanding  options,  and there were 217,909  shares  available for
future grants.  At December  31,1996,  the following  directors held exercisable
in-the-money options: Dr. Graham, 12,270 shares; Mr. Hartmann, 5,140 shares; and
Mr. O'Brien, 2,040 shares. The term "in-the-money" means that the grant price of
the options was less than the market  price of the  Company's  stock on December
31, 1996, which was $24.50 per share.

   In 1995 a directors'  retirement  plan was  authorized.  This plan stipulates
that each director who has completed at least five years of active  service as a
director  shall,  upon retirement  from the Board,  receive  one-half of his/her
quarterly  fee as director  for a period of years not to exceed  one-half of the
years of service as a director after April 8, 1995.

                                        6



<PAGE>
                            EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   The  following  tables  set  forth all  annual  and  long-term  compensation,
including  stock  option  awards,  paid  or to be paid  to the  Company's  chief
executive officer, and the four other most highly compensated executive officers
during the fiscal years indicated.


                                                     SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         ANNUAL COMPENSATION               LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                            -------------------------------------------- -------------------------
                                                                           RESTRICTED   SECURITIES   ALL OTHER
                                                            OTHER ANNUAL     STOCK      UNDERLYING    COMPEN-
                                      SALARY      BONUS     COMPENSATION    AWARD(S)     OPTIONS/     SATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION   YEAR    ($)(1)      ($)(2)       ($)(3)        ($)(4)    SARS (#)(4)    ($)(5)
- ---------------------------  ------ ----------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
<S>                           <C>      <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>
W. KEITH KENNEDY ...........  1996     $459,290    $ 36,657     -0-            -0-            -0-      $ 39,211
President & Chief             1995      440,000      87,431     -0-            -0-        110,000        87,685
Executive Officer             1994      440,000     213,579     -0-            -0-        100,000       210,120
DEAN A. WATKINS ............  1996      292,000         -0-     -0-            -0-          3,000           -0-
Chairman of the               1995      292,000         -0-     -0-            -0-            -0-           -0-
Board                         1994      285,750       2,872     -0-            -0-            -0-         4,415
KEITH D. GILBERT ...........  1996      209,150      12,732     -0-            -0-            -0-        17,156
Executive Vice                1995      267,800       9,636     -0-            -0-         20,000         6,000
President                     1994      267,800      50,021     -0-            -0-         30,000        54,439
MARC C. ELGAWAY ............  1996      208,640      68,646     -0-            -0-         30,000        70,817
Telecommunications            1995       86,000      33,333     -0-            -0-         40,000           -0-
Group President                                                              
SCOTT G. BUCHANAN ..........  1996      208,370      12,827     -0-            -0-            -0-        17,268
Vice President & Chief        1995      197,700      34,260     -0-            -0-         20,000        33,172
Financial Officer             1994      180,200      39,333     -0-            -0-         25,000        42,110
                                                                             
<FN>                                                                       
- --------------
(1)  Represents  total  base  salary  earned  by the named  officers,  including
     amounts  earned but deferred at the officer's  election.  Mr. Elgaway began
     his employment with Watkins-Johnson  Company in July 1995;  therefore,  his
     1995 salary amount is for a partial year only.

(2)  Represents the vested portion of the Top Management Incentive Bonus Plan in
     the year awarded,  and the bonus from the  Employees'  Cash Profit  Sharing
     Bonus Plan,  in which all employees of the Company  participate  based on a
     fixed  percentage of pretax  profits  allocated  over the salary base.  Dr.
     Watkins does not participate in either of the aforementioned plans.

(3)  The aggregate amount of perquisites and other personal benefits, securities
     or property,  given to each named officer  valued on the basis of aggregate
     incremental cost to the Company, was less than either $50,000 or 10% of the
     total of annual  salary  and bonus for that  officer  during  each of these
     years.

(4)  Represents incentive stock option awards; although the Company's 1991 Stock
     Option and  Incentive  Plan permits  grants of  restricted  stock and stock
     appreciation  rights,  no such grants have been made. For 1996 the Board of
     Directors  determined  that it was in the best  interest  of the Company to
     grant stock options only to those  members of the  executive  staff who had
     not over the past several years received significant grants. The members of
     the executive  staff who received  grants are all relatively new members of
     this group.

(5)  Represents  Company  matching  contributions  to the 401(k)  portion of the
     Employees'  Investment Plan in 1996 and 1995, and Company  contributions to
     the Employees'  Profit Sharing  Investment Plan for 1994, and also includes
     Company  contributions  to the Employee Stock  Ownership Plan for all named
     officers.  Additionally includes the unvested,  deferred portion of the Top
     Management Incentive Bonus Plan in the year awarded for all named officers.
     Amounts  shown  for  1996  consist  of  the  following:   401(k)   matching
     contributions of $4,500 each for Messrs.  Kennedy,  Gilbert,  Elgaway,  and
     Buchanan and ESOP contributions of $1,500 each to Messrs. Kennedy, Gilbert,
     Elgaway,  and  Buchanan,  respectively;  and  the  unvested,  deferred  Top
     Management  Incentive  Bonus Plan awards of $33,211,  $11,156,  $64,817 and
     $11,268 for Messrs. Kennedy,  Gilbert,  Elgaway, and Buchanan respectively.
     For 1996 and 1995,  the  method  for  calculating  the bonus was based on a
     formula  using  certain   measurement  factors  that  include  profit  from
     operations,  firm orders and return on  controllable  assets (ROCA).  Fifty
     percent  of the  dollar  value so  awarded is  deferred  to  appreciate  or
     depreciate  based on the ROCA for  each  participant's  organization.  This
     deferred bonus amount vests after two years from the award date and is then
     valued based on the ROCA measurement for the participant's  organization at
     that time. Previously,  awards were granted in the form of bonus units that
     were  determined  by dividing the dollar value of the award by the December
     31 book value per share, based on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
     For 1994,  the  bonus  units so  determined  vested at 50% each year on the
     anniversary  date of award,  and become fully  vested after two years.  All
     unvested  bonus dollars or units are subject to a risk of forfeiture if the
     executive  leaves the Company prior to the vesting dates.  Dr. Watkins does
     not  participate  in the ESOP or the Top Management  Incentive  Bonus Plan.
     
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                        7



<PAGE>

                         1996 OPTION/SAR GRANTS TABLE


   The following  table sets forth  incentive stock options granted to the named
officers  during 1996 under the Company's 1991 Stock Option and Incentive  Plan.
No stock appreciation rights (SARs) were granted in 1996.

<TABLE>
                                                OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

<CAPTION>
                                 INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE   
                            NUMBER OF      % OF TOTAL                                AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES    
                            SECURITIES    OPTIONS/SARS                             OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION  
                            UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO    EXERCISE OR                   FOR OPTION TERM(3)       
                           OPTIONS/SARS   EMPLOYEES IN   BASE PRICE    EXPIRATION  ---------------------------
           NAME           GRANTED (#)(1)  FISCAL YEAR     ($/SH)(2)       DATE         5%($)        10%($)
           ----          -------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ ------------- -------------
<S>                         <C>               <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>
W. Keith Kennedy ........       -0-           -0-             -0-             -0-          -0-           -0-
Dean A. Watkins .........     3,000           1.63%       $34.625      04/29/2006 $     65,000  $    165,000
Keith D. Gilbert ........       -0-           -0-             -0-             -0-          -0-           -0-
Marc C. Elgaway .........    30,000           16.3%        21.625      07/29/2006      409,000     1,032,000
Scott G. Buchanan .......       -0-           -0-             -0-             -0-          -0-           -0-
All Optionees(4) ........   184,000           100.0%       21.625             --     2,507,000     6,327,000
All Shareholders(5)  ....       --              --            --              --   113,404,000   286,211,000
All Optionees' Gain as a                    
 percentage of All                          
 Shareholders' Gain .....                                                                 2.2%          2.2%
                                         
<FN>
- -----------
(1)  For 1996 the Board of Directors determined that it was in the best interest
     of the  Company  to  grant  stock  options  only to  those  members  of the
     executive   staff  who  had  not  over  the  past  several  years  received
     significant  grants. The members of the executive staff who received grants
     are all relatively new members of this group.  Options granted in 1996 were
     incentive  stock  options up to the maximum  allowed for each officer under
     Internal  Revenue Code 422. The remaining  awards were  nonqualified  stock
     options.  Both incentive and nonqualified  options are exercisable  after 2
     years from the grant date at a rate of 33 1/3 % per year, with full vesting
     occurring  after the 4th  anniversary  date;  however,  all options  become
     immediately exercisable in the event of a change in control of the Company.
     The  options  were  granted  for a term of 10  years,  subject  to  earlier
     termination in certain events related to termination of employment.

(2)  Exercise or base price is the fair market value of the underlying shares on
     the date of grant.  Options  may be  exercised  with cash or by delivery of
     already-owned shares of Watkins-Johnson Company common stock.

(3)  The 5% and 10% assumed annual rate of stock price appreciation would result
     from per share prices of $34.625 and $21.625,  respectively,  for all named
     officers.  Said  assumed  rates are not intended to represent a forecast of
     possible  future  appreciation  of the  Company's  common  stock  or  total
     shareholder return.

(4)  For "All  Optionees,"  the  number of  options  granted is the total of all
     options  granted to Company  employees in fiscal year 1996.  The  potential
     realizable  value is based on the  $21.625  per share  price of the options
     granted to the named executive officer, as well as other officers,  on July
     29,  1996,  and based on a ten-year  option  term (the term of all  options
     granted in fiscal year 1996).

(5)  For  "All  Shareholders,"  the  potential  realizable  value  is based on a
     ten-year appreciation of the 8,324,014 shares outstanding on July 29, 1996,
     and on the  $21.625  per share  price of the  options  granted to the named
     executive officer, and other officers, on that date.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                8



<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                1996 OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END VALUE TABLE

   The following  table sets forth stock  options  exercised by any of the named
executive  officers  during  1996,  and the number and value of all  unexercised
options  at year end.  The value of  "in-the-money"  options  refers to  options
having an exercise price which is less than the market price of  Watkins-Johnson
stock on December 31, 1996.

             AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                         AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<CAPTION>

                                               
                                                         NUMBER OF                          
                                                   SECURITIES VALUE OF                      
                                                 UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED                     
                                                UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY  OPTIONS/SARS      
                                                       OPTIONS/SARS         AT FY-END       
                                                       AT FY-END (#)         ($)(2)         
                                       VALUE   ------------------------- ---------------   
                    SHARES ACQUIRED   REALIZED         EXERCISABLE/        EXERCISABLE/     
NAME                ON EXERCISE(#)     ($)(1)         UNEXERCISABLE       UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------ --------------- -------------     ---------------      ---------------
<S>               <C>              <C>                   <C>                <C>       
W. Keith Kennedy  .8,067           $90,627               105,901 /          $653,876 /
                                                         203,333             439,993
Dean A. Watkins  ..  -0-               -0-                   -0- /               -0- /
                                                             -0-                 -0-
Keith D. Gilbert  .5,000            61,870                28,332 /           254,369 /
                                                          50,002             156,264
Marc C. Elgaway  ..  -0-               -0-                   -0- /               -0- /
                                                          70,000              86,250
Scott G. Buchanan  1,000            10,375                22,783 /           186,556 /
                                                          41,667              89,792

<FN>
- ----------
(1)  Based on the market price of the  underlying  shares at exercise  date less
     the exercise price.  (2) Based on the market price of the Company's  common
     stock at 12/31/96, which was $24.50 per share, less the exercise price.
</FN>
</TABLE>

SECTION 16 (A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

   A Form 5 for Joan M. Varrone, Treasurer,  reporting the grant of options, was
filed six months late.

                       EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

   In 1996,  the Company  executed a  four-year  employment  agreement  with Dr.
Kennedy  which,  in  addition  to  providing  for a base  salary,  contains  the
following  terms:  The  agreement  may be  terminated  for cause,  in which case
compensation  ceases as of the date of notice.  If the  agreement is  terminated
without  cause,  compensation  for the  remainder  of the term  plus six  months
severance becomes immediately  payable.  The employee may not thereafter,  for a
period of two years,  engage in competition with the Company.  In the event of a
change in control,  as defined in the  agreement,  the  employee  may cancel the
agreement for breach,  upon 30 days written notice, and immediately  collect the
compensation  due for the  remainder of the term.  The term of the  agreement is
four years,  with the intention that it will be renewed after one year for three
years and then be  renewed  every year for three  years in order to reflect  his
current salary and, in effect, extend the agreement term for an another year. In
1995 the Company  executed a three- year  employment  agreement with Mr. Elgaway
which continues in effect.  The agreements for Messrs.  Kennedy and Elgaway were
concluded  after  their  base  salaries  were  determined  using  the  financial
performance  criteria and factors set forth under the compensation  programs and
policies   described  for  the  chief   executive  and  other  officers  in  the
Compensation Committee report.

   The Company maintains  three-year  severance agreements with other executives
which  provide  that if after a change in control,  the  employee is  terminated
other than for good cause, as defined in the

                                        9




<PAGE>
agreement,  or suffers a substantial  alteration in the terms of employment  and
terminates his or her own employment because of such alteration,  the Company is
obligated to pay the terminated  employee 299.999% of the employee's yearly base
salary  compensation.  The employee  also has the right to terminate  employment
after 90 days and within 120 days of the change in control and receive  from the
Company one-half of the amount described above.

           REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

COMPENSATION PROGRAM AND POLICIES

   The Compensation  Committee is responsible for establishing and administering
the  policies  which  govern  base  salaries,  short-  and  long-term  incentive
compensation  and stock ownership  programs for the Chief Executive  Officer and
other  executive  officers.  During the past year, the Committee was composed of
three outside  directors,  Raymond F. O'Brien,  Chairman,  William R. Graham and
Gary M. Cusumano.

   Watkins-Johnson's  compensation  program is  designed  to attract  and retain
employees at all levels who will  contribute  to the  long-range  success of the
Company. At the executive level, the program is broadened to reward key managers
for  achieving  both  short- and  long-term  strategic  Company  goals,  to link
executive and shareholder  interests through  stock-based  plans, and to provide
compensation packages that recognize individual contributions as well as overall
business  results.  Therefore,  a significant  portion of each executive's total
compensation  is intended to be variable and is contingent  upon overall Company
results,  success  of the  executive's  business  unit,  and  accomplishment  of
individual performance goals.

   Each  year,  the  Committee  conducts  a careful  review  and  evaluation  of
Watkins-Johnson's  corporate performance,  its executive  compensation,  and its
incentive  programs  compared with two  broad-based  surveys of  high-technology
companies,  as  well  as a  smaller  selection  of  geographically-related  peer
companies of similar size and organizational  structure.  These surveys are used
to ensure that the  Company's  compensation  practices  are  competitive  in the
markets in which it operates,  and that its employees are fairly paid. The first
two  surveys  present  comparative  information  on  all  aspects  of  executive
compensation used by high-technology  companies nationwide,  while data from the
selection of peer companies  presents  compensation  practices of companies that
are closely aligned to  Watkins-Johnson  in terms of size,  revenues and product
lines.  Analysis  of all  information  combined  enables  the  Company  and  the
Committee to make well-informed decisions.

   The  three  principal  components  of the  Company's  executive  compensation
program in 1996 were base  salary,  stock  options,  and a  combined  short- and
long-term  incentive  award.   Following  are  discussions  of  the  Committee's
philosophy and action in each area.

   Base  Salaries.  Base  salaries are designed  primarily to attract and retain
individuals, and to be competitive in our marketplace.  Based on the information
obtained from the salary surveys referenced above, base salary levels are deemed
competitive if they are between the 50th and 75th percentiles of the marketplace
for similar  positions.  The Company  strives to pay its executives  within this
range,  with  salaries  falling at low,  high or  medium-range  depending on the
following performance  considerations.  To arrive at base salary adjustments for
1996,  the Committee  considered  the Company's  financial  performance in 1995,
including the executive's  business unit  performance  against the annual profit
plan. Three  factors--achieving  planned profit, obtaining additional profitable
orders,  and developing new business for the long term--were  considered.  These
factors were not  assigned  specific  weights,  but profit was  considered  most
important,  with orders secondary.  Other factors considered in arriving at base
salary  adjustments  related  to  the  executive's  individual  performance  and
included overall managerial effectiveness,  success in promoting teamwork and an
ability to recognize and act upon the changing  requirements  of the  workplace.
Adjustments  to executive base salaries in 1996 were also based on a qualitative
analysis of each position's current  responsibilities and expected  contribution
to the Company's continuing advance into new areas of business.

   Stock Options.  Under the 1991 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, stock options
may be granted to executive officers and other key employees of the Company. The
purpose of the awards is to align the

                                       10



<PAGE>
executives' interests with those of shareowners. The size of stock option grants
is measured by the same  financial and individual  performance  criteria used to
determine base salaries,  and by the individual's  position and responsibilities
in the Company.  In addition,  consideration  is given to the amount and term of
options  already held.  All stock  options  awarded to date under this plan have
been  granted  with an  exercise  price  equal to the fair  market  value of the
Company's  stock on the date of grant,  with  current  grants  beginning to vest
after two years and becoming fully vested after four years.  This is designed to
encourage the creation of shareholder value over the long term, since no benefit
is realized from the option grant unless the price of the Company's  stock rises
over a period of years.

   The Company  does not have a policy that  requires  the  Committee to qualify
stock  options  awarded to executive  officers for  deductibility  under Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. However,  consideration
of the net  cost to the  Company  is  always  a factor  in  making  compensation
decisions.

   Short- and Long-term  Incentive  Awards.  The Top Management  Incentive Bonus
Plan  is  designed  to  reward   executives  based  on  achievement  of  certain
predetermined  goals,  which include overall  corporate  results,  business unit
performance,   and  certain  qualitative  factors  such  as  organizational  and
management development. These goals are formula-based,  and weighted so that 80%
of  the  award  is  made  on  performance   against   financial   objectives  of
profitability, return on controllable assets (ROCA), and obtaining new business;
and  20%  is  based  on  qualitative  goals  relating  to  strategic   planning,
development  of staff,  and  positioning of the business unit for future growth.
The performance criteria were individually tailored to each executive and his or
her area of responsibility, and the awards could range from zero to a percentage
of an  executive's  base  salary,  based on  progressively  difficult  levels of
achievement.  In order to encourage  attainment of the Company's long-term goals
for continued growth and profitability, the award is paid in two increments. The
first part, or 50% of the award, is paid in cash during the first quarter of the
year after it is earned.  The second increment,  the remaining 50% of the award,
is deferred.  In 1995,  and continuing in 1996, the procedure used for retention
of this  deferred  portion was  changed to allow the dollar  value so awarded to
appreciate or depreciate based on the ROCA for each participant's  organization.
The deferred amount vests after two years from the award date and is then valued
based on the ROCA measurement for the  participant's  organization at that time.
Thus,  executives'  interests  are  more  closely  aligned  with  those  of  our
shareowners. Previously, the remaining 50% of the award was deferred in the form
of bonus units,  which were valued based on the Company's net book value at year
end, and which vested over a two-year period at 50% annually as of each December
31 following  the award date.  If the  executive  leaves the Company  during the
deferral  period,  any  unvested  dollars or units are  forfeited.  Both the 50%
vested  portion of the award and the 50% deferred  amount  earned in 1996 by the
named officers are shown under the Summary Compensation Table on page 7. The Top
Management  Incentive Bonus Plan is currently  under review by the  Compensation
Committee and may be revised for 1997.

   Short- and Long-term  Profit Sharing Plans. In order to encourage  employees'
interest and alignment with the Company's  business  objectives and  performance
goals, the Company has established a profit-sharing plan under which it shares a
portion  of  its  profits  with  all  eligible  employees,  including  executive
officers. The Employees' Cash Profit Sharing Bonus Plan distributes 6% of annual
pretax  profits to all  employees  who have been  employed for more than 90 days
during the prior fiscal  year.  The 6% profit  amount is based on each  business
unit's annual pretax profit,  thereby giving  employees a good  understanding of
and reward for the  achievements  made within their own work areas. In 1995, the
Company modified the long-term  Employees' Profit Sharing and Investment Plan by
discontinuing  its annual  pretax  profit  sharing  contributions,  and adding a
Company matching contribution on employee 401(k) deferrals. The plan was renamed
the  Watkins-Johnson  Employees'  Investment  Plan, and  participants'  accounts
automatically  became 100% vested without regard to length of service. The Plan,
as continued,  is an ERISA-based plan and participants' accounts are distributed
upon retirement,  or earlier termination from the Company. There are no specific
performance criteria relating to these plans.

   Top  Management  Deferred  Compensation  Plan.  In 1994,  the Board  approved
implementation of a non-qualified  deferred  compensation plan for the Company's
executives.  Under the plan,  participants may elect to defer up to 15% of their
base salary which will earn the prime rate in effect at the beginning

                                       11




<PAGE>
of each  quarter.  The  election  to defer must be made prior to the year during
which the  compensation  is earned and cannot be revoked  once the elected  year
begins.  Funds so  deferred  will be  distributed  in a lump  sum only  upon the
earlier of retirement,  termination,  death, disability,  hardship, or change in
executive status.

COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

   The same policies and programs described above were followed by the Committee
in  determining  the  1996  compensation  for Dr.  Kennedy.  As with  the  other
executive officers, base salary is set, stock option awards are considered,  and
performance criteria are developed for the incentive bonus plan in February each
year,  based on the Company's  financial  performance  and the CEO's  individual
contributions in the previous year.

   The criteria for considering Dr. Kennedy's base salary included the Company's
overall  performance  in 1995 and its  continued  profitability  due to constant
monitoring  of costs and  elimination  of nonvalue-  added  activities.  Company
performance  factors included the percentage of  profitability  achieved against
the annual profit plan, new orders booked,  and the successful  execution of the
corporate   strategic  plan  to  prepare  the  Company  for  future  growth  and
profitability.  There were no specific  weights  assigned to these  factors.  He
continued  his  strong  leadership  of the  Company  during  1995,  a period  of
unprecedented  growth and  transition,  and set an example for his staff and all
Company employees.  After careful study of chief executive officer salaries from
the survey information  described under Compensation  Programs and Policies,  it
was determined that Dr. Kennedy's base salary had remained unchanged since 1991,
that his base salary fell within the 50th to 75th percentile  range, and that he
had had an outstanding year as CEO during 1995. Therefore, the Committee decided
there should be an increase of $25,000 in Dr. Kennedy's base salary for 1996.

   The criteria established for Dr. Kennedy's incentive bonus award are the same
as those set for other executive officers.  The award is based on achievement of
predetermined  goals, with 80% based on financial  objectives and 20% on certain
qualitative  goals.  The  Committee  met at the beginning of 1996 to approve the
formula-based  goals  for Dr.  Kennedy  and  other  executive  officers,  and to
establish his qualitative  goals for the year. As chief executive  officer,  his
financial  measurements  related to overall  profitability and growth objectives
for  the  whole  Company,   rather  than  individual  business  units,  and  his
qualitative  goals were  based on  development  and  execution  of  current  and
long-term  strategies,  development of management,  and  strengthening the total
organization.  The  Committee  then met just  before year end 1996 to review the
Company's  financial  results,  and to  evaluate  his  performance  against  his
qualitative  objectives.  As with the other  executive  officers,  the extent to
which the formula factors are met, based on  progressively  difficult  levels of
achievement  relating to financial returns and individual goals,  determines the
size of the award. Dr. Kennedy's corporate financial performance goals for 1996,
together with  achievement of his  qualitative  goals,  were met at a level that
resulted  in an award to Dr.  Kennedy  under the  incentive  bonus plan equal to
14.5% of his base salary.  However,  50% of the award, the long-term portion, is
subject to change based on future  appreciation or depreciation of the Company's
return on controllable assets (ROCA).

   During 1996, the  semiconductor  equipment  market did not perform as well as
had been anticipated at the beginning of the year. However,  under Dr. Kennedy's
management, early awareness of market change was recognized and steps were taken
in a timely manner to minimize adverse affects.

                                   The Compensation Committee

                                   Raymond F. O'Brien, Chairman
                                   William R. Graham
                                   Gary M. Cusumano

                                       12



<PAGE>
                   WATKINS-JOHNSON STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

   The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder  return (change
in stock price plus  reinvestment of dividends) of $100 invested on December 31,
1991, in the Company's  common stock, the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index,
and the Dow Jones  Diversified  Technology Index for a period of five years. The
Standard & Poor's  Composite  Index was chosen as our broad equity  market index
because of its wide distribution and recognition by shareholders.  The Dow Jones
Diversified  Technology Index was selected as having a  representative  industry
peer group of companies. The Dow Jones index includes 11 companies with at least
2 high-technology business segments.

                COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
               AMONG WATKINS-JOHNSON COMPANY, THE S & P 500 INDEX
                 AND THE DOW JONES DIVERSIFIED TECHNOLOGY INDEX


                                       Cumulative Total Return
                      ----------------------------------------------------------
                       12/91     12/92     12/93     12/94     12/95     12/96

Watkins Johnson Co       100       137       194       295       438       250
S & P 500                100       108       118       120       165       203
DJ DIVERSIFIED 
  TECHNOLOGY             100       110       129       133       182       233

* $100 INVESTED ON 12/31/91 IN STOCK OR INDEX--
  INCLUDING REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS.
  FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31.




                                       13




<PAGE>
                APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                            (ITEM 2 ON PROXY CARD)

   The  Board of  Directors  has  appointed  the firm of  Deloitte  & Touche  as
independent  accountants of the Company for the current fiscal year,  subject to
the  approval  of   shareowners.   The  Board  of   Directors   expects  that  a
representative  of  Deloitte & Touche  will be present at the annual  meeting of
shareowners,  will be given an opportunity to make a statement at the meeting if
desired, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

   The vote  required  for  approval  of such  appointment  is a majority of the
shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting.

   The Board recommends that shareowners vote "FOR" the appointment.

                                OTHER MATTERS

   As of the date of this  Proxy  Statement,  the  Board of  Directors  does not
intend to bring any other business before the meeting and, so far as is known to
the Board of Directors,  no matters are to be brought  before the annual meeting
except as  specified  in the notice of the annual  meeting.  However,  as to any
other business that may properly come before the annual meeting,  it is intended
that  proxies,  in the  form  enclosed,  will be voted in  respect  thereof,  in
accordance with the judgment of the persons voting such proxies.

                  SHAREOWNER PROPOSALS--1998 ANNUAL MEETING

   Shareowners  are entitled to present  proposals  for action at a  forthcoming
shareowners'  meeting if they comply with the  requirements  of the proxy rules.
Any proposals intended to be presented at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareowners
of the Company must be received at the  Company's  offices on or before  October
31,  1997,  in order to be  considered  for  inclusion  in the  Company's  proxy
statement  and  form of  proxy  relating  to such  meeting.  


                                             Claudia  D.  Kelly, Secretary 

February 24, 1997 
Palo Alto, California

   YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON.  WHETHER OR
NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING,  YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN AND RETURN
THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

                                       14



<PAGE>
                                                                      APPENDIX A



PROXY                      WATKINS-JOHNSON COMPANY                      PROXY 
                 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREOWNERS--APRIL 5, 1997 
         THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 

   The undersigned  hereby  appoints Dr. Dean A. Watkins,  Mr. John J. Hartmann,
and Dr. William R. Graham as proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of
substitution,  to attend the Annual Meeting of  Shareowners  of  Watkins-Johnson
Company to be held at the main office of the Company, 3333 Hillview Avenue, Palo
Alto,  California  94304, at 10:00 o'clock in the morning on Saturday,  April 5,
1997, and at any adjournment or postponement  thereof, and to vote the number of
shares the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present on any of
the following matters and with  discretionary  authority as to any and all other
matters that may properly come before the meeting.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED, OR IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, WILL BE 
        VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. 

                (Continued, and to be signed on the other side)

<PAGE>

                                                            [X] Please mark
                                                                 your votes
                                                                  as this

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTOR LISTED BELOW AND FOR PROPOSAL 2 AND 3.


1. Election of Directors 
                                                          WITHHOLD
                                                  FOR     FOR ALL
To withhold authority to vote for any 
individual nominee, strike a line                 [ ]       [ ]
through that nominee's name in the 
list below: 

Dean A. Watkins 
H. Richard Johnson 
W. Keith Kennedy 
John J. Hartmann 
Raymond F. O'Brien 
William R. Graham 
Gary M. Cusumano 
Robert L. Prestel 

I PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING                 [  ]


                                                     FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN

2. To approve the appointment of Deloitte &          [ ]      [ ]        [ ]
   Touche as independent accountants 
   of the Company for the fiscal year 1997. 

3. In their discretion, to vote upon any             [ ]      [ ]        [ ]
   and all such other matters as may 
   properly come before the meeting or
   any adjournment or postponement thereof. 

PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS. WHEN SHARES ARE HELD BY JOINT TENANTS, BOTH
SHOULD SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY,  AS EXECUTOR,  ADMINISTRATOR,  TRUSTEE OR
GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE AS SUCH. IF A CORPORATION,  PLEASE SIGN IN FULL
CORPORATE  NAME BY  PRESIDENT OR OTHER  AUTHORIZED  OFFICER.  IF A  PARTNERSHIP,
PLEASE SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP NAME BY AUTHORIZED PERSON.


Signature(s) _____________________________________ Dated _______________, 1997

SHAREOWNERS ARE URGED TO MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE 
ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.


<PAGE>
                                                                      APPENDIX B

PROXY                        DIRECTION TO TRUSTEE                        PROXY 
            WATKINS-JOHNSON COMPANY EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN 
                  WATKINS-JOHNSON EMPLOYEES' INVESTMENT PLAN 

   I  hereby  direct  you as  Trustee  of  the  Watkins-Johnson  Employee  Stock
Ownership Plan and the  Watkins-Johnson  Employees'  Investment Plan to vote the
shares of Watkins-Johnson  Company common stock credited to my account under the
aforementioned  plans at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Watkins-  Johnson
Company,  to be held at the main office of the Company,  3333  Hillview  Avenue,
Palo Alto, California 94304, at 10:00 o'clock in the morning on Saturday,  April
5, 1997, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

   I have filled in the  appropriate  boxes on the other side of the card, and I
authorize you to vote as indicated. Pursuant to the plans, in the absence of any
instructions  from me as to any item,  shares  credited  to my account  shall be
voted by you, as Trustee,  in the same  proportion as shares are voted for which
instructions are received.


                (Continued, and to be signed on the other side)

<PAGE>
                                                            [X] Please mark
                                                                 your votes
                                                                  as this

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTOR LISTED BELOW AND FOR PROPOSAL 2 AND 3.

1. Election of Directors 
                                                           WITHHOLD
To withhold authority to vote for any              FOR     FOR ALL 
individual nominee, strike a line                                  
through that nominee's name in the                 [ ]       [ ]   
list below:                             

Dean A. Watkins 
H. Richard Johnson 
W. Keith Kennedy 
John J. Hartmann 
Raymond F. O'Brien 
William R. Graham 
Gary M. Cusumano 
Robert L. Prestel 

I PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING                 [  ]

                                                     FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN 
                                                                               
2. To approve the appointment of Deloitte &          [ ]      [ ]        [ ]   
   Touche as independent accountants                                           
   of the Company for the fiscal year 1997.                                    
                                                                               
3. In their discretion, to vote upon any             [ ]      [ ]        [ ]   
   and all such other matters as may                                           
   properly come before the meeting or                                         
   any adjournment or postponement thereof.                                    
                                                  
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS. WHEN SHARES ARE HELD BY JOINT TENANTS, BOTH
SHOULD SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY,  AS EXECUTOR,  ADMINISTRATOR,  TRUSTEE OR
GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE AS SUCH. IF A CORPORATION,  PLEASE SIGN IN FULL
CORPORATE  NAME BY  PRESIDENT OR OTHER  AUTHORIZED  OFFICER.  IF A  PARTNERSHIP,
PLEASE SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP NAME BY AUTHORIZED PERSON.


Signature(s) _____________________________________ Dated _______________, 1997

SHAREOWNERS ARE URGED TO MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE 
ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.




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